A woman who has been living in Leeds is attempting to claim asylum after she was saved from deportation in the eleventh hour.

Gloria Namuzungu fears that she could be violently attacked and thrown in prison if she is sent to Uganda, because she is is gay and that is a criminal offence in her home country.

The 22-year-old, who regularly volunteers at All Hallows Church, has been detained at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre and she was due to be deported at 9.55pm on Tuesday, May 29 after her claim for asylum was rejected and her appeals were exhausted.

But less than nine hours before her flight was scheduled to depart, the Home Office announced that it would defer the deportation and give her legal team from Duncan Lewis Solicitors time to prepare another claim for asylum.

Immigration solicitor Marina Khan said: “The client exhausted all appeal rights in the UK and thus the Home Office intended to remove the client from the UK.

"Our client sought our assistance on May 24 and on May 25 we were instructed that removal directions were set to Uganda at 9.55pm on May 29.

Campaigners calling for Gloria's deportation to be blocked, during a demonstration in Leeds city centre (Image: @Jonathan_Pryor)

"Our client required our assistance to send further submissions as a fresh asylum claim owing to a risk under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Refugee Convention.

"As we were instructed within 24 hours of her removal representations were submitted to the Home Office seeking a deferral of removal based on Home Office guidance on judicial reviews and injunctions published on 21 May 2018.

"The new guidance recognises that 'legal representatives need access to relevant documents and case papers in order to properly advise their client.’'"

She added: "We were of the view that the Home Office’s failure to provide the documents would render the removal unlawful as her asylum claim is on the basis that she would be at risk on return because of her sexual orientation.

Foreign Offices warning to gay people travelling to Uganda

Homosexual activity is illegal and not tolerated in Uganda’s conservative society. Public displays of homosexuality like kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment

"It is evident from Uganda’s country information that homosexual activity is illegal and not tolerated in Uganda.

"It is deemed illegal and those found to be LGBT persons can face discrimination and legal restrictions in Uganda.

"We are currently in the process of preparing detailed representations in support of the client’s fresh claim for asylum in light of her new evidences to be considered by the Home Office.”

Emily Carrigan, Gloria’s friend and colleague, said it was 'amazing to hear that it has been deferred' and she is 'really excited to get her out of Yarl’s Wood and back into Leeds.'

Emily Carrigan (centre) campaigning against Gloria's deportation

The Home Office spokeswoman said the government department does 'not routinely comment on individual cases'.

She added: "The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection. Every asylum claim is considered on its individual merits.”

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